xạu mặt
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To scowl; to make a sullen or displeased facial expression: This phrase describes the action of one's face darkening or becoming visibly upset, angry, or displeased. It indicates a clear change in facial expression to show negative emotion.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nghe tin đó, anh ta xạu mặt ngay. (Hearing that news, he scowled immediately.)
- Đừng có xạu mặt với tôi như thế. (Don't scowl at me like that.)
- Cô ấy xạu mặt khi bị chỉ trích. (Her face darkened when she was criticized.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to describe a sudden, reactive change in expression due to a specific incident or words, implying a loss of composure or visible irritation.
Variants and Related Words
Cau mặt (v): to frown.
- Cậu bé cau mặt khi không được cho ăn kem. (The boy frowned when he wasn't given ice cream.)
Nhăn mặt (v): to grimace (often due to pain or distaste).
- Cô ấy nhăn mặt khi uống thuốc đắng. (She grimaced when drinking the bitter medicine.)
Synonyms
- To scowl: to have an angry or bad-tempered expression.
- To glower: to look or stare with sullen anger.
- To make a face: to show dislike or displeasure through facial expression.
Related Idioms
- Xạu mặt xạu mày: to be extremely sullen or to show profound displeasure across one's entire countenance. This idiom intensifies the meaning of "xạu mặt."
- Ông chủ xạu mặt xạu mày khi xem báo cáo thua lỗ. (The boss looked utterly sullen when reviewing the loss report.)